The new premier of Hungary, Arrow Cross party leader Ferenc Szalasi, greets his troop commander in front of the Ministry of Defense in Budapest.

The new premier of Hungary, Arrow Cross party leader Ferenc Szalasi, greets his troop commander in front of the Ministry of Defense in Budapest.

Pictured behind them (from left to right) are Jeno Szollosi (Deputy Prime Minister); Emil Kovarcz (minister in charge of mobilization and war readiness); Ferenc Kassai Schallmayer (Minister of Propaganda and National Defense), Gabor Vajna (Minister of the Interior); a German SS photographer; a member of the Hungarian military police; an Hungarian police official; and Karoly Beregfy (Minister of Defense).

In the background is a German tank. After Horthy's announcement of peace talks with the Soviets, armed Arrow Cross units, with German assistance, took control of strategic positions within the capital: the offices of Hungarian radio, military bases and checkpoints, and the entire castle district, which includes the residence of the Regent and all government ministries. During the coup, members of Horthy's bodyguard unit put up resistance, resulting in the introduction of German tanks and heavy artillery into the capital to secure the new government and to put pressure on Horthy to resign.